Legal Aid ACT

Legal Aid ACT Providing legal advice, education, and representation to the ACT community. https://linktr.ee/legalaidact

Legal Aid ACT is a nonprofit organisation providing legal services to socially and economically disadvantaged people across the ACT.

29/05/2026

What happens at a Psychiatric Treatment Order Hearing?



A PTO can only be made if certain legal criteria are met. This video explains what can happen at a PTO hearing and is the final installment of our PTO series as part of Law Week 2026.



We would like to thank Magistrate Robinson (formerly the Presidential Member of ACAT), Associate professor Anthony Cidoni and the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal for their assistance with this video.



Watch the full explainer now on our YouTube channel — link in bio.



Understanding your rights matters. ⚖️



28/05/2026

When can someone actually be placed on a Psychiatric Treatment Order?



A PTO can only be made if certain legal criteria are met — and understanding that threshold is important.



As part of Law Week 2026, our lawyers break down the basics of Psychiatric Treatment Orders (PTOs), including:
• what a PTO is
• how hearings work
• your legal rights
• where to get help



We would like to thank Magistrate Robinson (formerly the Presidential Member of ACAT), Associate professor Anthony Cidoni and the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal for their assistance with this video.



Watch the full explainer now on our YouTube channel — link in bio.



Understanding your rights matters. ⚖️



Today marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared history, ...
27/05/2026

Today marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared history, celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and consider how we can each contribute to reconciliation in meaningful ways.

This year’s theme, “ALL IN”, reminds us that reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility. Small actions, conversations, and commitments can create lasting change in our workplaces, communities, and relationships.

Reconciliation is not limited to one week of the year, it is an ongoing journey of learning, respect, relationships, and action.

Together, we can continue building stronger relationships and a more inclusive future for all. 🖤💛❤️

What happens when someone is placed on a Psychiatric Treatment Order? What rights do they have? And how does the Mental ...
25/05/2026

What happens when someone is placed on a Psychiatric Treatment Order? What rights do they have? And how does the Mental Health Tribunal process work?

As part of Law Week 2026, our lawyers break down the basics of Psychiatric Treatment Orders (PTOs), including:
• what a PTO is
• how hearings work
• your legal rights
• where to get help

This reel is a short clip from our full video featuring Magistrate Robinson (formerly the Presidential Member of the ACAT), Associate Professor Anthony Cidoni, and the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. We thank each for their contributions to this video.

Watch the full explainer now on our YouTube channel — link in bio and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eNO3sf2C6k

Understanding your rights matters. ⚖️

Getting older should never mean being treated unfairly, ignored, pressured, or disrespected.Ageism is stereotyping or mi...
13/05/2026

Getting older should never mean being treated unfairly, ignored, pressured, or disrespected.

Ageism is stereotyping or mistreatment based on someone’s age. It can affect older people in many areas of life, including work, healthcare, housing and aged care.

⚖️ Your rights matter
Older people have the right to:
• be treated with dignity and respect
• make decisions about their own lives and care
• work without unfair treatment because of age
• access services without discrimination

📣 Human rights in the ACT
The ACT Human Rights Act protects rights including equality, freedom of expression and the right to work.

You can raise concerns with the ACT Human Rights Commission if you experience discrimination, harassment, or breaches of your human rights.

The Aged Care Act also includes a Statement of Rights for people using funded aged care services, including the right to make decisions about your care and receive support in making those decisions.

📞 If you need help…
Legal Aid ACT’s Older Persons ACT Legal Service (OPALS) may be able to help. Call 1800 353 374
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
Our Legal Topics for Older People Diary 2026 goes through this topic in more detail with more referrals to support services. You can access the digital version from our website here: https://tinyurl.com/yvvnttcu

Need help with your submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion? Legal Aid ACT is supporting ...
08/05/2026

Need help with your submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion? Legal Aid ACT is supporting people who want to make a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, by providing free legal assistance.

The Royal Commission Legal Assistance Service is a free, independent and confidential service offering legal advice about submitting for the Royal Commission.

☎️1800 976 198
✉️[email protected]
💻https://nationallegalaid.org.au/national-services/rcasc-legal-help

Did you know? Australia is the only liberal democracy without a national Human Rights Act. Only three jurisdictions - Vi...
30/04/2026

Did you know? Australia is the only liberal democracy without a national Human Rights Act.

Only three jurisdictions - Victoria, Queensland and the ACT - have their own local Human Rights Acts. The ACT was the first to lead the way in Australia.

On Wednesday, we attended "The Answer is Human Rights" seminar in Canberra to listen to the experience and expertise of speakers from the ACT Human Rights Commission, Australian Human Rights Commission, Canberra RapeCrisis Centre Nguru Support Program, and Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation.

Legal Aid ACT is supporting people who want to make a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohe...
29/04/2026

Legal Aid ACT is supporting people who want to make a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, by providing free legal assistance.

Our lawyers recently visited the Jewish Memorial Centre to share information about the process and answer questions about your legal rights and protections when making a submission.

We understand that sharing your experiences can be difficult. Our role is to help make the process clearer and more accessible, and to ensure people know what support is available when they engage with the Royal Commission.

For more information on our new service, visit https://www.legalaidact.org.au/royalcommissionasc

Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may face unique legal issues shaped by history and culture, community...
20/04/2026

Older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may face unique legal issues shaped by history and culture, community responsibilities, and life experiences. You should know that there is culturally appropriate support available for these issues.

⚖️ Discrimination and human rights

No one should be treated unfairly because of their race, culture, language, or family responsibilities. You can raise concerns with the ACT Human Rights Commission if you experience discrimination, harassment, or breaches of your human rights.

👨‍👩‍👧 Caring for family

We at Legal Aid ACT can help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families with care and protection, family law matters, and advocacy around receiving financial assistance as a carer.

💰 Money & debt help

Free, culturally appropriate support for financial matters is available through services like Mob Strong Debt Help and Indigenous financial counselling programs.

📝 Planning ahead

Having a will and planning documents in place helps make sure your wishes are respected. There are free will services available for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people such as through the ACT Public Trustee and Guardian.

📞 There are many other culturally appropriate support services in Canberra for a wide range of issues. If you are facing a legal problem and are not sure where to start, please call the Legal Aid ACT Helpline on 1300 654 314. We are here for you.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
Our Legal Topics for Older People Diary 2026 goes through this topic in more detail with more referrals to support services. You can access the digital version from our website here: https://tinyurl.com/yvvnttcu

National Youth Week is about recognising the impact young people have in our communities and ensuring their voices are g...
15/04/2026

National Youth Week is about recognising the impact young people have in our communities and ensuring their voices are genuinely heard.

That’s why it was so valuable to host Janice Rodrigues at Legal Aid ACT as part of her Listening Tour. Janice is the current Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations.

Teams across our Civil Justice Practice, Early Intervention Legal Practice, Criminal Practice, and Community Legal Education shared the work of our specialist Youth Law Centre and college outreach programs, and spoke about the challenges we see throughout the Commission young people face in the legal system. These challenges are often shaped by broader systemic issues beyond the law itself.

We are grateful to participate in conversations like these and hope to see young people’s experiences continue to be heard and reflected in the systems and services that impact them.

Thank you Janice for your time and we wish you the best with the rest of the Listening Tour.

Address

2 Allsop Street
Canberra, ACT
2601

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

1300 654 314

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